Jazz Musician A Dearie Blossom 1979
In one of Peter Appleyard's jazz shows in Toronto in the seventies singer/pianist Blossom Dearie is featured.
Blossom Dearie (1926 ) is an American jazz singer.
Blossom Dearie (her real name) is known for her distinctive, high-pitched, girlish voice. As a child Dearie studied classical piano but switched to jazz as a teenager.
Here she began singing in groups such as the Blue Flames (with the Woody Herman Orchestra) before launching her own solo career. In 1952 she moved to Paris and formed a vocal group, The Blue Stars. The group had a hit in France in 1954 with a French-language version of "Lullaby of Birdland".
In the sixties Blossom performed frequently in New York supper clubs and honed her own distinctive style. In 1966 she made her first appearance at Ronnie Scott's club in London and quickly became a popular act.
In 1974 Dearie established her own label, Daffodil Records, to allow her full control in the recording and distribution of her albums.
Throughout her career Dearie has appeared on television, most notably giving her voice to the children's educational series Schoolhouse Rock!
Her distinctive voice and songs have been featured on the soundtracks of many films
Dearie has continued to perform in clubs. As one of the last remaining supper club performers she still performs regular engagements in London and New York City.
